A) There are many possible causes for dryness following laser vision correction as well as with many other treatments. I recommend that you speak with your doctor again and ask what other options are available to you. For example, if you have an irregularity on the surface, which is worse after sleeping when your eyes have been closed and the cornea swells, a hypertonic salt solution may be a better option for you then tears. If you are lacking the watery component of tears then frequent treatments with nonpreserved artificial tears, punctual plugs, or Restasis can help. Your symptoms may alse stem from an infection of your eyelids known as blepharitis or meibomitis. The best way to speak with your doctor is to educate yourself and come prepared with questions about the best therapeutic option for you.

A) It may be possible to have laser vision correction surgery after collagen crosslinking treatments for keratoconus; however, the results of such treatments have not been thoroughly studied. In the U.S., collagen crosslinking is still under investigation. Keratoconus represents a weakened, bulging cornea, the outermost eye structure. Collagen crosslinking attempts to strengthen this weakened part of the eye. If the treatment is successful the cornea returns to normal or near normal strength. If the treatment is unsuccessful, the continuing weakness may prevent the safe performance of keratorefractive techniques.